Your views: Letters to the editor

Monday

Dec 29, 2008 at 12:01 AMDec 29, 2008 at 12:17 PM

There were no heroes in budget process Now is the time to move the state forward New York state has a weak judicial system People need to take responsibility for actions The truth is there is no climate crisis Be mindful of disability-marked parking spaces

There were no heroes in budget process

In a recent letter, the Oneida County Democratic Chairman anointed the Democratic legislators as the saviors for Oneida County.

It is unfortunate that William Morris would take such a partisan view, especially in these troubled economic times.

The proposed budget by county Executive Anthony Picente received strong opposition from members of the legislature on both sides. Both Republican and Democratic legislators discussed and proposed potential cuts, and worked with Picente to finalize reductions.

Just because the Democrats put out a press release does not make them heroes in proposing budget reductions.

The Republican legislators have worked hard to keep property taxes at a minimum, even as the state of New York continues to increase cost demands upon counties.

As Picente said, there were no heroes in this budget process.

STEPHEN ROEFARO

Oneida County legislator representing the 19th District

Now is the time to move the state forward

As we bridge the distance that separates families and friends at this time of year, it is a time for all of us who have been selected by the voters to redouble our efforts to bridge differences of party or geography that separate us to forge a stronger unity of purpose among all people of all parties.

Because this is a time of historic opportunity, it makes me even more appreciative of the voters who came out to support me on Election Day. I commend all the voters who came and participated in this past year’s elections, because participation in elections is the cornerstone of democracy. The stronger the voice of the electorate, the better government works.

At a time when major state aid decisions will be impacting schools, hospitals, communities and governments; at a time when visionary decisions can create a new, better business climate, and a time when fiscal restraint can lower the cost of government in New York for years to come, I am humbled and deeply moved that the people of my district have such strong confidence in me.

The holiday season is a time that reminds us that people of good will can bridge distances and differences in the name of the greater good. This season is one of hope, and one in which we focus on the good we can all do together.

As the season of hope and joy comes upon us and we look inward at family and friends, rest assured that I will be working hard on behalf of the 47th District so the voice of upstate will be heard and that the year to come – and many years afterward – will be times of progress for our district and our state.

JOSEPH GRIFFO

Rome
Griffo is a Republican state senator.

New York state has a weak judicial system

DNA has exonerated 23 convictions with the most recent being Roy Brown and Steve Barnes just this past month here in Central New York out of more than 220 across the country.

New York state has an extremely high rate of wrongful convictions. That proves just how weak our judicial system is here in upstate. Don’t you think it’s time for the prosecutors office to review all the weak, circumstantial only cases right here at home before one more innocent man, woman or child gets wrongfully convicted?

The government and the district attorney’s office owe it to the public to right these wrongs. The people deserve to be educated on the wrongdoing and the mistakes being made in our court system.

RACHEL RUSTICI

Whitesboro

People need to take responsibility for actions

I saw something that disturbed me on Dec. 15. I witnessed a German shepherd dog get hit on Fulmer Creek Bridge. The person hit the dog and drove away.

How can we help stop people from doing this in our neighborhoods? How can somebody do that and not even stop and check the animal? Unfortunately the dog died about 5 minutes after it got hit. I was glad to see that so many local residents were there to check on the dog.

Our DEC commissioner is elated that the carbon dioxide program is successful. Successful for whom? This is a scam run by state governments. The millions raised come from power plants, so who will eventually foot the bill?

This money-grab is justified using the hoax that the CO2 we generate is causing catastrophic global warming or the new term “climate change” since the earth hasn’t been cooperating lately. This gas that we all exhale and plants love is now called pollution.

In a speech at Harvard, Al Gore said, “The challenge is to find the truth in the climate crisis.”

The truth is that there is no climate crisis. Gore’s 1992 book, “Earth in the Balance,” warned that 10 million residents of Bangladesh will lose their homes to rising sea levels caused by global warming within two decades. Well there are 4 years to go and no sign of rising sea levels.

This on-going hoax will continue to put more power and money in the hands of our politicians. Taxing cars, homes, buildings and other industries is next. Obama has stated he will implement CO2 policies and admits they will raise prices for consumers and businesses.

In March, hundreds of prominent scientists (who have concluded that man-made CO2 is not causing a problem) will meet in New York City. Watch for a complete lack of coverage by the media.

BILL SCHUSTER

Sauquoit

Be mindful of disability-marked parking spaces

People with disabilities already are at a disadvantage in the community, such as entrances to buildings and restaurants.

I do not feel like they should have to worry about parking.

Every day I see people parking in handicapped spaces without a sticker or certified license plate without regard to handicapped people. This bothers me because my father, who is handicapped, can hardly ever find a handicapped parking spot.

This is often because non-handicapped people believe it is OK to park in the reserved spots.
I feel that police officers should start giving out tickets so people can understand the intensity of their mistakes.

It is unfair to people like my father who have a hard time walking and have to park farther away than they should.

Also, it would help if stores had more handicapped spots available because it might increase business.

J’NAI SPAZIANI

New Hartford

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